AC’s Deborah Lehr: United Nations Takes Bold Step to Address Illicit Trade in Antiquities
December 11, 2024
This blog post is authored by Deborah Lehr, Chairman and Founder of the Antiquities Coalition.
On December 6, 2024, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/79/L.16, an important milestone in the global fight against the illicit trade of cultural property. The resolution, titled “Return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin,” highlights the devastating impact of illicit trafficking on cultural heritage and calls for enhanced international cooperation to protect these invaluable assets.
This resolution underscores the growing recognition of cultural heritage as a key element of humanity’s shared identity and history. Cultural racketeering not only robs us of better understanding our history, but harms local communities of the economic and social benefits that arise from cultural tourism. And this illegal trade often funds organized crime and, in some cases, terrorist activities. For the Antiquities Coalition, this is yet another affirmation of the urgent need to prioritize the protection of cultural heritage on the global agenda.
A Call for Action Across the Supply Chain
One of the resolution’s most critical aspects is its emphasis on accountability across the entire supply chain. It urges member states to strengthen their law enforcement capabilities and develop specialized police forces, such as Italy’s renowned Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage. Importantly, it also calls upon actors in the art market—including auction houses, museums, art dealers, and collectors—to take a proactive stance in ensuring the provenance of cultural objects. This is a vital step in addressing the demand side of the illicit trade, which has often been overlooked.
For too long, the art market been willing to operate in a grey area when it comes to the origins of the objects it trades, allowing stolen artifacts to circulate. The resolution’s focus on encouraging verifiable documentation of provenance and export certificates is a recognition by the United Nations that is an important loophole in the antiquities trade. By holding the market accountable, it would create a powerful deterrent against the trafficking of looted antiquities.
Strengthening International Cooperation
The resolution recognizes that combating this global problem requires a united effort. It commends the work of UNESCO, INTERPOL, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in harmonizing efforts and raising awareness. Additionally, it encourages member states to engage in bilateral agreements and mutual legal assistance to prosecute those involved in illicit activities. Such measures are crucial for dismantling the transnational networks that profit from the illegal trade of cultural property.
Countries proposing the resolution include Egypt, Italy, China, and Germany, among others, representing a broad coalition of nations committed to preserving humanity’s shared heritage. However, notably absent from the list of proposers was the United States, raising questions about the role of major art market nations in this fight.
A Step Forward, but the Work Is Far From Over
While the adoption of this resolution is a significant achievement, it is only one step in a much larger battle. The Antiquities Coalition applauds the UNGA’s leadership in spotlighting this issue, but we must not lose sight of the fact that the illicit trade in cultural property remains a pervasive global problem. Artifacts continue to disappear from conflict zones, museums, and archaeological sites, fueling organized crime and erasing irreplaceable pieces of our collective history.
Moving forward, we must ensure that this resolution’s recommendations are not merely words on paper but are implemented through concrete actions. Governments, international organizations, and the private sector all have a role to play in turning political will into tangible results. Together, we can disrupt the illicit trade, protect cultural heritage, and ensure that these treasures are preserved for future generations.